THE former midfielder, who starred for Rangers, Dundee United and Raith Rovers in his 19-year playing career has been found dead in Irvine.

FORMER Rangers and Dundee United star Ian Redford, who was once Scottish football's most expensive signing, has been found dead aged 53.

Police today confirmed that they have recovered the body of the former midfielder in Irvine earlier today.

Redford, whose autobiography was serialised in the Daily Record last year, signed for Rangers for a then-Scottish transfer record of £210,000 in 1980.

Over the next five years at Ibrox he made over 200 appearances for the club, winning the Scottish Cup and playing his part in three League Cup victories.

He then returned to his native Tayside to join Jim McLean at Dundee United in 1985 where he played in their UEFA Cup Final defeat.

The talented goal-scoring midfielder, who was called up on several occasions but never played for the national team, played for Ipswich Town, St Johnstone and Brechin in his latter years before finishing his career as a League Cup winner with Raith Rovers in 1995.

Rangers legend Sandy Jardine paid tribute to his former team mate who was part of the 1981 side that lifted the Scottish Cup.

He said: “Ian joined Rangers at what was a very difficult period for the club.

“He managed to catch the back end of what you would say then was the great team of the 70s.

“A lot of our players left but he carried out and had a very good career.

“He was a great athlete and a very good professional.

“But most of all, Ian was just a really nice lad. He came to the club quite frequently after he left.”

A spokeswoman for Police Scotland said: “At around 11.15am on Friday, police received a report of a man’s body being found within a wooded area near to Long Drive in Irvine.

“Officers continued and enquiries are continuing. A post mortem examination will be carried out in due course to establish the exact cause of death.”